Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles collectively reduced “things gone wrong” (TGW) by 7.7 percent compared to last year and are now statistically equivalent with Honda (including Acura) and Toyota (including Lexus and Scion) atop the list of seven major automakers in the survey.

From 2004 to 2008, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicle quality, as measured by a reduction in TGW, has improved by 33 percent.

”This is One Ford at its best. It's taken thousands of people continuously working together with laser-like focus every day to boost vehicle quality for our customers to the top of the pack,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president, Global Quality. “But this is a never-ending journey. The goal now is to distance ourselves from our top competitors. We want to be the sole quality leader."

The 2008-launched Ford F-Series Super Duty and the Lincoln Mark LT ranked first in their respective segments in both TGW and customer satisfaction. Ford Mustang GT 500 topped the sports car category in TGW.

Overall, 18 of 24 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles recorded TGW improvements. Ford's newly launched Focus improved significantly in TGW and customer satisfaction, now equaling the Toyota Corolla in both categories. The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are significantly better in TGW than the Toyota Camry, which they tied in customer satisfaction.

"We are consistently delivering improved quality by following standardized, disciplined processes throughout Ford," said Fowler. "This is particularly impressive considering the difficult challenges we've had to overcome."

Ford also ranked best in class for TGW performance in the functional areas of Vehicle Engineering and Electrical among major manufacturers. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles averaged 1,287 TGW per 1,000 vehicles, a reduction of 108 versus a year ago. Customer satisfaction with the company's vehicles reached its highest level ever, improving one point to 77 percent.

The 2008 model-year GQRS survey, conducted for Ford by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., solicits feedback on vehicle trouble and customer satisfaction from owners of all major makes and models after three months in service.

Long Beach, Calif. – The Formula DRIFT Championship presented by Circuit City entered the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale for Round 7: “Final Fight”. Formula DRIFT history was made tonight as Vaughn Gittin, Jr. won his first Formula DRIFT event ever and Tanner Foust was announced the first Formula DRIFT back to back champion. Rhys Millen also won his second Tires.com Triple Crown bonus prize in his career.

Coming into the last event of the Pro Championship series, Round 7: Final Fight saw history take place with Vaughn Gittin, Jr. and his Falken Tires / Ford Racing Mustang battle for his first Formula DRIFT victory ever. Gittin bested Champion Tanner Foust and his Rockstar / AEM Nissan 350 in the final head-to-head battle.

“It has been a season of ups and downs for me and there isn’t a better way to put it behind! Thanks to all my fans and sponsors for supporting me,” said Vaughn Gittin, Jr., Formula DRIFT Round 7: Final Fight winner. “We are coming out swinging with a 2010 Falken Tire / Ford Mustang for the 2009 season.”

Leading the Castrol SYNTEC Power Cup points standings coming into this event, champion Tanner Foust looked to win his 2nd championship in back to back years. By finishing in second place at this event, Foust secured the championship in the Great 8 round.

Point Standing after the jump

The covers will be pulled off during Mazda’s press conference from 12:20 to 12:45 (local time) revealing the all-new Mazda3, the latest evolution of Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom spirit.

Every element of the all-new Mazda3 has been developed for heightened exhilaration, with a more refined sporty ride, top class fuel economy and quietness. Environmental and safety features, based on Mazda’s long-term “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom” vision, aim to achieve a balance with fun-to-drive. Add in a new expressive face and Mazda’s dynamic design elements, and the all-new Mazda3 is everything a driver could ask for in a sports compact.

The brand new version of Mazda’s best-selling sports compact carries forward the heritage of Mazda and the pedigree of the current Mazda3. Since its launch in 2003, the current Mazda3 has sold approx. 1.8 million vehicles*2 in over 100 countries and has won more than 90 global motoring awards*3 to date. The Mazda3 accounts for almost one in three Mazdas sold every year.

Following the world debut of the North American specification sedan with 2.0- and 2.5-liter engines at the show, the five-door hatchback version will be revealed in line with Mazda’s global sales schedule.

So far 1,000 customer orders have been placed. Although no details of available colours have been confirmed, around 40 per cent of the applicants requested the unique Electric Green shade of the London Show vehicle. Other popular requests were Frozen White and Electric Blue.

Focus RS

At the heart of the new Ford Focus RS is a specially developed 300PS version of Ford’s Duratec 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine.

The new model marks a welcome return for the Rallye Sport badge which has played such an important role in Ford’s rich motorsport heritage. This will be the second Focus model to carry the RS mantle since 2002 and heralds another chapter in an automotive story which began with the iconic Ford Escort RS1600 in 1970.

Red Bull Drifting World Championship tickets are available online at www.formuladrift.com and start at $35 for a 2-day pass. VIP tickets are also available online and will include: 2-Day reserved seating in a covered sky box, food & beverage, on-site parking, and a discount coupon for the Formula DRIFT merchandise tent. Formula DRIFT has taken care of the service charges for all online ticket purchases and there will be absolutely no service charge for online transactions.

“Online ticket purchases are very much encouraged as they provide the lowest possible price and guaranteed admission into the event,” says Ryan Sage, V.P of marketing of Formula DRIFT. “Formula DRIFT and Red Bull want to provide the fans with the best consumer experience and make purchasing tickets as easy as possible.”

Tickets will also be available on event days, November 15 & 16, at the Long Beach Convention Center, which will serve as the official event hub for the Red Bull Drifting World Championship. Fans will be able to park, purchase tickets, and take a courtesy shuttle to the secret event venue from this location.